The day Akwa Ibom stood still for Akpabio’s homecoming

It had all the trappings of a “state visit.” And indeed it was a state visit. It was Senator Godswill Akpabio’s first visit to his home state: Akwa Ibom State after his election as the President of the Senate.

As recalled by the Senator, the last time the people saw him was as a Senator-elect but on Saturday, June 24, 2023, he returned to Akwa Ibom State as the President of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Number three man in the country.

In contemporary times the State has been blessed with such great leaders as Obong Victor Attah, Air Marshal Nsikak Eduok, Atuekong Don Etiebet, Dr Ime Sampson Umanah among others who contributed their quota to the growth and development of the State and Nigeria as a whole.

But none of these great men had risen politically to the position that Senator Akpabio currently occupies. So the excitement of the people during the homecoming of Senator Akpabio knew no bounds.

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It turned out to be very prophetic that many years ago the people had gathered in unison to bestow the title of Uko Akwa Ibom (the pride of Akwa Ibom State) on Chief Godswill Akpabio.

The significance of his visit was not lost on Akwa Ibom people as the people led by the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno turned out enmasse to behold and welcome their pride, their illustrious son to the State and to wish him well as the Chairman of the National Assembly.

Despite differences in political affiliation, many were surprised on June 13, the date of the inauguration of Senator Akpabio as the President of the Senate, when Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state led politicians in the State, including Senator Akpabio’s estranged allies to congratulate him on his election.

In the words of Governor Eno, “Today party politics have broken down and for the first time after the elections, I see everyone coming together to celebrate this great feat of our State.

“The people of Akwa Ibom State are extremely delighted with you (Senator Akpabio) as our hero who has gone to war and God has given us the victory. I congratulate you for this great honour you have brought to Akwa Ibom State.

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The last time anyone from the South-South had occupied the position of the Senate President was in 1979 through the late Dr. Joseph Wayas.

For those who are familiar with the discipline of the Catholic Church it was no mean feat for the Bishop, Most Rev Camillus Umoh to have agreed to celebrate the thanksgiving mass which was scheduled at very short notice.

But the celebration reflected the mood of the people of Akwa Ibom State and the Church was not left out.

In his homily, Most Rev Camillus Umoh, charged Senator Akpabio to leave his marks on the sands of time at the end of his tenure as the Senate President.

“Our prayer is that at the end of your tenure Nigerians would be able to say that a man from Annang land landed in Abuja and left with the imprint of Annang land and that you brought to bear the Catholic character of justice and fairness. From Ikot Ekpene Diocese, came a Senator and President of the Senate.

“As you continue to guide the activities of the National Assembly, make it that after your tenure, people would be saying when Akpabio was here, this wouldn’t have happened. Destroy things that would scatter this country. Go ahead and do things that you know how to do best; the uncommon transformation of Nigeria. This is the little Nazareth from where you rose. Let it be said that one good thing can come out of Nazareth,” he admonished Senator Akpabio.

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The Chairman of the Stability Group and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Dave Umahi who led other Senators to the Mass, in his goodwill message thanked the Catholic Bishop for accepting to hold the thanksgiving mass outside Sunday service.

Senator Umahi recalled the uncommon transformation of Akwa Ibom State under Chief Akpabio as Governor: “I was here last in the year 1991 as a young Engineer when I built Ibom Hall. And when I came back today after over 30 years, my case was like that of Queen Sheba that visited King Solomon.

An obviously elated Senator Akpabio thanked the people for their support and show of love. “I thank you all for coming out to celebrate God’s goodness in my life and that of my family. I thank you for the support during the campaigns and election proper.

“I am humbled by this show of love. You will see the difference. What I want you to take back home is the fact that Nigerians have elected an Uncommon Senate President. We will run an Uncommon Senate for the benefit of the uncommon people. That is why I am here today to thank God for what he has done for me,” he stated.